Sharing Wisdom

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the World; from the Green Wheel Oracle, the Hearth Moon:

There is no delight in owning anything unshared. —Seneca

Rather than a single herb, this World card is paired with Pachamama (Mother Earth) - a living being who nourishes and supports all. As we complete a major phase or undertaking in our lives, the World suggests we share our insights and wisdom with others. We've been blessed with the knowledge and understanding of many sages throughout history: Siddhartha Gautama, Aristotle, Jesus of Nazareth, and Marcus Aurelius, to name just a few. Yet Hearth Moon, a time of preparation, implies we should tie up loose ends, let go of old habits, and clean up our side of the street first. Only by seeing the changes we have made in ourselves will others think we have anything to offer that is worth hearing.

Sacred Solitude

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Hermit (Usnea); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Deer:

It’s said that if we want to learn about our past, we should look at our present circumstances, for they are the result of our past actions. If we want to learn about our future, we should look at what we’re doing now. —Pema Chodron

The Hermit is illustrated with Usnea, a beard lichen that gets water and food straight from the air but dies off in areas with heavy air pollution. When we begin to notice that we are suffering from tainted thoughts and motives, the Hermit invites us into sacred solitude. As Khyentse Norbu explains, we easily become captivated by our "teacups" (outer trappings of culture and society) and forget to drink the "tea" (the essence of spiritual teachings). It's time to take an honest inventory, trace our path to discover how we got to this place, and make some new choices. Deer encourages us to stay alert to distractions and deflections: blame, excuses, and rationalizations. This assessment has nothing to do with guilt or worth but is simply about gaining clarity so we can get back on track.

Useful Hoarding

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Eight of Water/Cups (Valerian); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Wolf:

Sanity is a valuable possession; I hoard it the way people once hoarded money.

—Margaret Atwood

Drama queens, disruptors, contrarians, and relentless competitors - we've all had to deal with at least some of them. But boy can they suck the energy and enthusiasm for life right out of us. Rather than drift passively in these relationships, it's time to retreat from them and the drain they create. Valerian is an herb used for insomnia, anxiety and stress. We all need some calm in our lives, and that may require choices to be made. Wolf asks us to name our fears and bring them into the light. Do we think removing ourselves from the insanity (at least for a while) will bring chaos and cause our house of cards to fall down? It's possible, but that might be a good thing if we're enabling the detrimental behavior of others.

Soothe Yourself

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Ten of Fire/Wands (Comfrey); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Wren:

Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying 'yes' too quickly and not saying 'no' soon enough. —Josh Billings

I've noticed that when you retire from the work force, people often seek you out to join groups or do volunteer work. Such endeavors can be beneficial, as they keep us active and involved with others. But at times they can become a burdensome demand. Comfrey has historically been used in salves and poultices to treat bruises and sprains. Its message is: "There can be too much of a good thing. Stop. Step away. Soothe yourself. Cut it down and it roars back to life." Like this herb, when we cut down our work and take time to rest, we can rejuvenate ourselves. Wren is a tiny bird with a big voice. It reminds us that people don't always accept what we're trying to tell them, but we need to have the confidence to stand up for what we need. Trying to please others rather than taking care of ourselves only leads to resentment, burnout and health issues. As Anna Taylor said, "You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept."

Clean Up

This week I'll be using the Herbcrafter's Tarot, created through the combined efforts of Joanna Powell Colbert and Latisha Guthrie. The set is published by U.S. Games. Paired with it will be the Green Wheel Oracle, created and self-published by Danielle Barlow. Today's draws are the Six of Air (Swords) and Seal:

Mind changes, and as a result, the world changes. A clear mind heals everything that needs to be healed.  —Byron Katie

Not only are cattails a valuable source of food and shelter for wildlife, they also are excellent phytomediators. Their root systems can take in and store heavy metals like lead, zinc, and cadmium, while microbes living around the roots break down harmful compounds, pesticides, and hydrocarbons. They pull extra nitrogen and phosphorus out of the water, which helps stop harmful algae blooms too. Cattail encourages us to challenge our current way of thinking by cleaning the pollutants from our minds: generalizations, assumptions, expectations and biases. Like moving from an enclosed pen to an open meadow, our mind relaxes and sees things more clearly. Seal asks us to let go of our cares and worries for a while and do the things that make our hearts sing.  A lighter heart and mind are better able to respond wisely rather than impulsively.

Washing Off the Dust

From the Tarot of the Master, the Knight of Chalices; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Carcer:

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

—Pablo Picasso

If the Coins suit nourishes the body and its needs, the Cups suit nourishes the spirit. The Knight of Cups is like a bard, amusing and delighting others with his poetry, songs and stories. He reminds us to allow art, whether visual, performance or literary, to feed us. It can elevate our mood, provide solace or inspiration and give us a deeper understanding of the world. Carcer refers to a type of incarceration - delays, restrictions or barriers that keep us from what we desire. Often, we feel like we can't squeeze in time to make or enjoy art. But it could be that we need to schedule time for it; we may need to be aware of how we waste time (often just distracting ourselves from a task we don't want to do) and carve a portion out. As Thomas Merton wrote, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

When This Is, That Is

From the Tarot of the Master, the Devil; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Conjunctio:

Resilience isn’t about powering through overwhelming difficulties. It’s a soft, lived honesty — the ability to sit with our experience without abandoning ourselves. ―Pawan Bareja

Vacchetta's Devil, at first startled by a snake, is surprised to find it is part of himself. We can be eaten alive by our emotions, especially fear, grief and anger, if we let them assume control of our thoughts and behaviors. We can't change what created this emotional surge, but we can learn tools to calm ourselves physically, which will likely slow the spinning in our mind as well. Then we can choose more beneficial responses. Conjunctio involves the coming together of specific causes and conditions that create something (even ideas). Yet things are always subject to change, even more so if we influence them by adding or subtracting something in the equation (like the focus of our thoughts). In the words of Buddha:

When this is, that is.

From the arising of this comes the arising of that.

When this isn't, that isn't.

From the cessation of this comes the cessation of that.

A Mere Toy?

From the Tarot of the Master, the Knight of Batons; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Caput Draconis:

A body of men, holding themselves accountable to nobody, ought not to be trusted by anybody.

—Thomas Paine

The outfit of a jester adorns this Knight of Wands, which tells us a lot about his priorities. Unlike the King and Queen of this suit, whose motto is "let's get things done," this Knight's focus is on "let's have some fun." We'd probably all agree that there needs to be a balance between work and play. But as Kevin Powers wrote, "Freedom is not the same as lack of accountability." Caput Draconis ("head of the dragon") points to an opportunity or an important assignment. This Knight better change out of his jester clothes if he wants to be taken seriously. Most of us are familiar with the proverb "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." But the second half says, "All play and no work make Jack a mere toy."

Not in Circles

From the Tarot of the Master, the World; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Populus:

We are not going in circles, we are going upwards. The path is a spiral; we have already climbed many steps. ―Hermann Hesse

The Vacchetta World card has the Italian names for the seasons at the top and bottom, implying coming full circle. Yet it's not a circle we travel but a spiral. Every person we meet and experience we have changes us in some way, widening our knowledge and outlook. Populus means "the people;" the dots themselves remind me of two rows of people sitting in pews. This is a collection of people who share the same ideas and use peer pressure to squash independent thinking. Here, life moves on around us while we stay stuck in one place unless we break from the collective. As Leo Tolstoy explains, “Freethinkers are those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice and without fearing to understand things that clash with their own customs, privileges, or beliefs. This state of mind is not common, but it is essential for right thinking...”

Time Enough

From the Tarot of the Master, the Two of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Aquisitio:

The butterfly counts not months but moments and has time enough.

―Rabindranath Tagore

In the coins suit, Vacchetta depicts the Roman emperors sequentially (though leaving out a few). These two coins are placed on what appears to be an unguentaria, a perfumed oil bottle frequently left in tombs as offerings. The chronological emphasis in this suit implies that time is a great resource that we often overlook. Adding the Two of Coins meaning - balancing our options - it points to a need for assessing how we spend our time. Acquisitio (gain) speaks to how we spend many moments of our lives. We are constantly trying to buy contentment and joy by adding to our material possessions. But will all these things make a difference beyond the first few minutes of our pleasure?

Motion is Lotion

From the Tarot of the Master, the Knight of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Via:

Daily dependability is not always exciting or epic, but it is heroic.

—Aaron Grube

The Knight of Coins may not be as flashy as his cousins, but if you want to make advancements, he's your guy. He'll plan a clear path to the goal, gather resources, then work steadily and diligently. He's more of a tortoise than a hare, but he'll get the job done right. Via means 'way,' and suggests change and movement. The fellow in the card looks like he's getting some rest, but if he doesn't get up soon, he's liable to be "stove-up." This phrase for being sore or stiff is actually the past tense of the verb stave. To stave in a wooden boat is to smash a hole in its side and incapacitate it. Thus, stove-up is feeling sidelined by achiness. The Knight would agree with the physical therapist's maxim: "motion is lotion." Once the task has begun, the mind resets and focuses on the goal.

It's So Easy

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Master, created by Giovanni Vacchetta and published by Lo Scarabeo. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Paracelsus Oracle, published by Lo Scarabeo with instructions written by Gina di Roberto. The cards drawn for today are Love (Lovers) and Tristitia:

At the beginning of all love there is a private treaty each of the lovers makes with himself or herself, an agreement to set aside what is wrong with the other for the sake of what is right.

—Salman Rushdie

There's a breezy song by Olivia Dean that's getting a lot of radio play right now: "I could be the world to you, the missing piece, the extra sentimental kind of chemistry. Cause I make it so easy to fall in love, so, come give me a call, and we'll fall into us." Well, she's got the falling part right - it's the staying in love that's more difficult. It's probably why at the top of this card there is the Latin phrase Dolce travaglio, meaning "sweet labor." Tristitia is a Latin word meaning sorrow; early theologians used it to describe a despondency that caused someone to give up all hope. Partners may discover they are just too different in views and values to stay together, or cruelty and dishonesty might break them apart. But if, as Pink sings, "It's been written in the scars on our hearts; we're not broken, just bent and we can learn to love again," then maybe wise hope should be our compass.

Alert for Red Flags

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Queen of Cups; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Deck, the Mirror:

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant.

—Albert Einstein

The wavy, wild locks of the Queen of Cups indicate she leads with her heart, not her head. She can easily sense the emotions of others and can help them navigate their feelings with compassion. But because she is so responsive to others, she must take care not to be subsumed by their drama or chaos. Her intuition is helpful in this regard. In milliseconds, her brain compares the current situation to stored memories, checks for similar patterns, then sends an embodied message of "safe" or "danger." Yet even the most intuitive of us may easily discount any red flags when it comes to those we deeply care about; we want to protect the relationship, avoid pain and maintain the peace. However, the Mirror reminds us it's wiser to acknowledge reality rather than convince ourselves that what we wish for is real. As Carl Sagan wrote, “For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.”

Wakey Wakey

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Sun; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Deck, The Virus:

To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle.

—George Orwell

While the Sun represents warmth and energy, it also implies clarity - which is hard to achieve with our eyes closed. When we're oblivious in our cocoons, it can take the jaws of life to free us from it. The Virus only needs a receptive host and then can spread to others; like computers, our minds need an antivirus program. We may only see what we expect or want to see. Because a truth is inconvenient or upsetting, we may refuse to acknowledge it. If we're a part of a group with a strong belief system, we may feel like we have reasons not to believe. But if we want our antivirus system to work, we must begin with doubt. This is not cynical doubt (rooted in agendas and self-protection) but questioning doubt that notices what we usually ignore and then investigating it.

Stretching Time

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Two of Coins; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Deck, the Mad Scientist:

Time is the master of all things.

—Jamaican proverb

The joint popping posture of this fellow reminded me of what I heard on the radio yesterday: if we want the best dental health, we should brush our teeth three times daily. Holy cow, my feet hit the ground and stay in motion before the sun is up until it sets. I'll have to settle for good dental health because I don't think I can wedge anything else in my schedule. I have learned, however, that certain things take priority over others when something unexpected occurs. For instance, while my 30 minutes of stretching in the morning is a must if I want to keep moving, I can forego a day of aerobic exercise. The house doesn't have to be thoroughly cleaned every week, but repairs need my focus. Rather than managing time, sometimes we must prioritize our attention. The Mad Scientist is a reminder of how technology has changed our lives, both in helpful and unhelpful ways. I text my mom (who is 88 and lives alone in another town) early every morning to check on her and say hello. I am a plodder at texting, so I've learned to use the talk-to-text option, which allows me to continue with my chores as I talk. But often, between my southern drawl and morning croak, it doesn't recognize what I'm saying and just adlibs. The other morning, I was telling mom that I was herding cats (trying to feed them). She texted back, "Why are you hurting the cats?" Like I said, it's both good and bad.

Word Engineer

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Three of Sticks; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Deck, Void Engineer:

Feedback is the compass for greatness; it tells you what to avoid, what to learn, and where to excel. 

—Henrik Ceder

The Three of Sticks (Wands) implies expansion, an exploration of new ways of doing things. Of course, these endeavors will have some hiccups as methods, timing, and resources are sorted out. But at some point, an assessment will be needed, an objective look to see if the output is worth the input. It may not be comfortable, but such feedback can help us decide what to keep, whether we need to revise anything, or if we should choose a completely new direction. Void Engineer is the creator of words for things that have no labels. Some words, like 'splash,' mimic sounds while others are named after people or locations (like denim from serge de Nîmes, fabric from Nîmes, France). We all engineer our words, choosing and putting them together either thoughtfully or carelessly. But if we want people to listen to them, we need to be mindful in our construction; our words should improve and motivate rather than dishearten. 

He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know.

—Abraham Lincoln

Loving the World

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the World; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk deck, the Maze:

The world is not ugly; it is only our way of seeing it that is sometimes ugly.

—Hermann Hesse

How do we learn to love the world? First by realizing we are not the center of its orbit. Secondly, by grasping and accepting the meaning of the triskele symbol - life does not stand still; it is always changing. When we understand that: 1) nothing stays stuck forever, and 2) we will not always have what and who is around us, which makes them precious. The Maze brings up a third way. Unlike the labyrinth, which has one way in and one way out, a maze has many dead ends. But change and movement remind us that we don't have to give up and stare at a brick wall. If we're willing to try other avenues and stay curious (change our own mind), we'll find other options. Such open-mindedness and willingness, however, is fueled by love, not hatred and frustration.

Love does not lead to an end to difficulties, it provides us with the means to cope with our difficulties in ways that enhance our growth. ―bell hooks

Creativity and Connection

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Empress; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk, the Lovers:

There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.

—Edward de Bono

I had a good chuckle with this pair of cards - talk about cause and effect! But what if I told you the Empress wasn't a baby-making factory? What if her children were named music, dance, painting, and gardening? Somewhere along the line, things for practical uses became part of our cultural heritage, used to create beauty, feeling, and relationship. What a boring life this would be without these pleasures. The Lovers represents connection, and as Steve Jobs stated, "Creativity is just connecting things." Our imagination is fed by curiosity, through people, places and things. We synthesize and recombine them, making connections between what was previously unrelated. It's no surprise that Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way suggests a day to explore and pay attention: "a block of time, perhaps two hours weekly, especially set aside and committed to nurturing your creative consciousness, your inner artist."

Layers

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Absurd, created and self-published by Jessica Rose Shanahan. I'll also be using another self-published deck, the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk by Masha Falkov. The draws for today are the Page of Blades and Matrioshka:

I understand how a first impression is often just that: a quick snapshot that, on its own merit, is meaningless. —Adriana Trigiani

This sly, saucy Page has a mind as quick as lightning and a tongue as sharp as her sword. She is full of knowledge and likes to surprise people with how much she knows. Though she understands and collects information, it amounts to one grain from all the world's beaches. She has not yet grasped that what she wields isn't wisdom; it will take time and experience to learn to use it well rather than as a weapon or as an arrogant display. Matrioshka, or Russian nesting dolls reminds us that first impressions may not accurately give us enough information to judge a situation or person. We all have had days when we were stressed and reacted badly, or in the past, when we were young and cocky. Given some time, a fuller picture can be revealed, good or bad.

Make Some Room

From the Slavic Legends Tarot, the Three of Cups; from the Urban Crow Oracle, Play:

When you lose your laugh, you lose your footing. –Ken Kesey

Honestly, when I drew these two cards this morning, I wanted to stuff them back into their respective decks. Lately the people I hang out with only want to talk about "him," the war, the high cost of everything, and other worries or problems. I don't mind, as I do think these things need to be discussed. But I also need to balance this darkness out with light - laughter, fun, and discussions of things that entice me with wonder and curiosity. As Pema Chodron wrote, we need to make room for all of it - not just the bad stuff.

The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy. 

Unfriendlies

From the Slavic Legends Tarot, the Five of Wands; from the Urban Crow Oracle, Soar:

There's something wrong with the mental life, radically. It's rooted in spite and envy, envy and spite. 

―D.H. Lawrence

This is definitely not a friendly competition or some cooperative brainstorming. It is five rigidly held opinions raging about how things should be done. This group will need a supervisor to make the final decision, which is a pity. If they compiled all of their perspectives instead of vying to be right, they might see the whole picture and create a more useful plan. Soar indicates what Michelle Obama encouraged: When they go low, we go high. Being spiteful to prove we are the expert will simply bury us in a cycle of anger and retaliation. As John Ford said, “Revenge proves its own executioner.” It's better to simply explain our views, then listen and ask questions about those that oppose us. Make a choice not to wallow in the mud.

Against the Current

From the Slavic Legends Tarot, the Nine of Coins; from the Urban Crow Oracle, Resistance:

Most people notice only the final results you achieve, not the hard work, struggles, sacrifices, and failures you go through to reach them. Success is visible and easy to admire, but effort usually happens quietly in the background when no one is watching.  —Laila Saleem

This woman is covered in coins, jewelry and flowers, representing her wealth and how she has blossomed in life. The swan, in Slavic lore, symbolizes spring, transformation and wisdom. What wisdom would this feathered being advise for attaining such a lifestyle? Likely it would offer this Japanese saying, "Float along placidly on the surface, but underneath paddle hard with your feet." Translation: Stay calm but work diligently. Resistance, showing a crow flying against the wind, brought to mind the Buddhist phrase "going against the stream." Instead of mindlessly following our emotional whims or habitual patterns, we actively choose to go against the current, which can allow us to reach our goal rather than get distracted.

Irritation

From the Slavic Legends Tarot, the Six of Swords; from the Urban Crow Oracle, Mischief:

Attitude isn’t just a mood, it’s the undercurrent of how we think, act and move through the world.

—Meredith Eastwood

The swords all aiming at a center point on this mast suggests that out mindset matters. While thoughts are temporary, attitudes are more enduring evaluations that incorporate thought, emotion and action. It's easy to point those swords outward, blaming other people, places and things when we're out of sorts, but likely we'd still feel the same even if they disappeared (we'd just pick new targets). Mischief shows crows pulling a cat's tail - not harming, just annoying. When we are irritated with others, there are better options than yelling or bonking people on the head. R.J. Starr states, "[Annoyance] exposes our values, boundaries, expectations, and stress levels;" he suggests we look past the trigger and pay attention to what our self is trying to protect us from. Our focus may need to shift to self-care by improving our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Swallow the World

From the Slavic Legends Tarot, the World; from the Urban Crow Oracle, Exposed:

To understand just one life, you have to swallow the world.

―Salman Rushdie

In Slavic mythology, the Holy Oak is the embodiment of the axis mundi or World Tree. The roots represent the underworld, the trunk the earthly realm, and the branches the celestial kingdom. The World offers us the insight of interconnection and interdependence. The Fool does not get to the World without understanding how his experiences have shaped him and how, in turn, he has affected others. There is a Buddhist saying that behind every shortcoming is a hurt; I would venture to say that behind every virtue is a kindness. We are both the potter and the clay. Exposed is a visceral illustration of how most of us feel when we are vulnerable enough to show our real self to another. Vulnerability is the courage to be genuine and open despite the uncertainty of the outcome. It's scary as hell, but it is also what allows us to connect intimately to others.

Beginning Something Else

From the Slavic Legends Tarot, the Star; from the Urban Crow Oracle, Perspective:

You only grow by coming to the end of something and by beginning something else.

―John Irving

The Star is represented by Zorza, the personification of dawn and dusk depicted as two sisters. The Morning Zorza opened the gate of the heavenly palace when the Sun set out in the morning, and the Evening Zorza closed the gate when the Sun returned to his abode for the night. Sometimes an ending is just the result of a lack of information, unreliable resources, bad timing or simply a natural conclusion. Losing what motivated us and gave us stability can leave us feeling anxious and unmoored. Yet this does not have to be time of stagnation; it can be a time to clear our thoughts and reconsider our next step. Perspective shows a crow upside down - a position taken when trying to get at food not accessible otherwise. It asks us to disengage from how we've been demanding things to be and see what else is possible. As Eckhart Tolle said, "All creativity comes out of inner spaciousness."